Tips to Avoid Force and Sex-Based Complaints

Allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct and excessive force have been the staple of sensational headlines and are made of the stuff that can be career ending even when proven untrue. While this article and writer absolutely condemn any kind of unethical or illegal sexually based conduct or excessive force by professional law enforcement personnel, some false claim situations do occur. Even more important, those false claims hurt the true victims whose claims are called into question....

Featured Author: Dr. Richard Weinblatt

Dr. Richard B. Weinblatt, Ed.D., M.P.A., is the former Director of the Institute for Public Safety for Central Ohio Technical College and an ex Police Chief. He previously served as a professor and program manager for the Criminal Justice Institute at Seminole Community College in Sanford, FL. He holds the Certified Law Enforcement Trainer (CLET) designation from the American Society for Law Enforcement Training (ASLET). He has appeared on local and national television news programs and written extensively on law enforcement topics since 1990.

Definitely good advice, I have been planning on getting a recorder when I get on the streets.

Anonymous

over 4 years ago

Article is right on target and the advice needs to be followed by every officer. Recording contacts has saved my butt on more than one occassion. Complaint comes, recording is revealed, then comes "Oh -- never mind then." I then follow that up with a set of cuffs for false reporting -- also recorded.

Excellent article! One that every officer should read and follow, with a lot of sound advice! I just wished that many times I had carried one of those pocket recorders, as my departments did not offer dash cams, or anything of that nature. In one of the departments, our communications system was one step above two tin cans and a piece of string!

Also any WOMEN WHO FALSELY claim sex crimes-there is a special place in HELL where you will burn for BURNING REAL VICTIM OF HORRENDOUS CRIMES AND THE INNOCENT OFFICERS/OR CIVILIANS WHO ARE RUINED BY YOUR PSYCHOSIS> NEED FOR ATTENTION .WHATEVER!!!! If I could get away with it-HONESTLY- I'd beat your asses personally for hurting women with that BULLSHIT. YOU SUCK and I hope you burn here on earth too for telling LIES THAT DESTROY SO VERY VERY MUCH!!!!

I am a survivor of a sexual assault by a uniformed, ON DUTY police officer. He took the plea agreement . I died for nearly 4 years after and have JUST now gotten my life back. THE BEST WAY TO AVOID ANY OF THIS IS 100% PROPER,PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AT ALL TIMES. WE ARE TAUGHT TO TRUST YOU-THE POLICE..i DID AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. BE WORTHY OF THAT TRUST AND REMEBER VICTIM/SURVIVORS LIKE ME. CHECK WHAT'S INSIDE YOUR HEART-THAT'S WHERE IT ALL STARTS AND ENDS.

Well written. I cannot stress enough about carrying a pocket recorder. I never had the luxury of a dash cam recorder. I had two ladies (I use this term loosly) accuse me of sexual misconduct. The husband of one of the complainants was present and I continued to engage him in conversation as I suspected some problems. Once the complaint was filed I informed one of the complainants the entire incident was recorded. She shit little green apples. One moved and the other would not leave her house when I was on duty. The 15 minute recording cleard me.